What Enslaves Us?

O. T. #2098  "What Enslaves Us?"

Dec. 31, 2021

Amos 1-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

Psalm 135:3 tells us to Praise the LORD: for the LORD is good: sing praises unto His name; for it is pleasant.

In the Hebrew language, good means good in the wildest sense; precious; kindly; loving.

Verse 5 says, For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.

Great refers to exceedingly; mighty; noble.

Our God is so good that He is good in the wildest sense and so great that He is exceedingly above all. Is that your God? How is God to you, supreme over worthless idols and has sovereign power over all creation? Certainly He is incomparable!

So why do we fret and worry over things beyond our control? Our precious Savior can do all things, for Nothing is impossible for God. (Luke 1:37)

Dear one, God has got this. Sometimes we just need to be reminded, right?

LET IT GROW

The second nation that came under God's judgment was Gaza. (verses 6-8) God said, I will not turn away the punishment thereof.

What had Gaza done to God's people that resulted in His punishment?

• These major cities were in Philistia, located on the west side of Judah along the Mediterranean Coast. The Philistine armies raided communities, captured the people, and sold them as slaves to Edom. (verse 6) They were often the enemies of Israel.
• God condemns kidnapping and selling humans into slavery. (Exodus 21:16)
• God promised to curse those who curse His people. (Genesis 12:3)
• Gath had been destroyed earlier by King Uzziah, so it is not mentioned here. (2Chron. 26:6)

Amos's prophesy was literally fulfilled when Hezekiah smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city were smote. (2Kings 18:8)

The Gaza strip seems to always be challenged. God gave it to Israel, but the Arabs want it.

• Fire would descend upon the Philistine cities, and the people would perish. (Amos 1:7-8) [The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

Have we become slaves to something? Our job, credit cards, government, people , or attitudes can make us slaves to them. Jesus came to set us free. He intends for us to be free financially so we can give freely to kingdom work.

 

LET IT GO

How good and great You are, our God Almighty!

You do exceedingly beyond all we can think or ask.

May we be found a faithful servant today.

Set us free from the financial chains.

Praise to our God most High!